What Does The Bible Say About Name Calling?

What Does The Bible Say About Name Calling? The Bible says much about the power of words. Proverbs 18:21 says, “The tongue has the power of life and death.” It is without a doubt that profanity is always negative and hurtful. We are more likely to say that it amounts to verbal abuse – and Jesus Christ had some important things to say about such as we can read from Matthew 5:22 – “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.” As Christians, we should instead speak positive and encouraging words. Likewise, Apostle Paul says in Colossians 4:6 – “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

We regard verbal abuse as one weapon in the arsenal of emotional abuse. Though the tactics of abuse are numerous, the main goal is to gain control over someone in order to prove a point or establish dominance in a relationship. Verbal abuse constitutes psychological violence and it is a habitual sin that seldom goes away on its own and can potentially escalate to physical abuse. Some examples of overt verbal abuse include name-calling, swearing, angry outbursts, screaming, blaming, ridicule, criticism, accusation, orders, threats, manipulation, mockery, put-downs, coercion, word twisting, shaming, attacking personal character, and rewriting history. On the other hand, covert verbal abuse is more subtle and cloaks hidden aggression. It feigns concern and has the effect of leaving the victim brainwashed, confused, off-balance, and questioning his/her abilities as well as worth.

What Does The Bible Say About Name Calling?

Ephesians 5:4 says, “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.” Likewise, Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Truthfully speaking, any kind of abuse made over a long term can leave the victim in a depressed state, unable to make decisions, and drained of any sense of personhood, worth, or value. In such a case, the victim begins to accept the blame and believe the crushing words that are convincingly and repeatedly thrown at him. You’re just deceiving yourself if you think that words can never hurt you. Behold, abusive language has a deep, long-lasting effect that can “pierce like swords” (Proverbs 12:18).

It is important to understand that the words we speak reflect what is going on inside of us. In support of this, Luke 6:45 says, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Behold, words affect the speaker as well as the receiver. James 3:6, 9 says, “The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. . . . With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.”

What Does The Scriptures Say About Abusive Language?

Matthew 5:21–22 openly categorizes verbal abuse as a major offense with eternal or everlasting consequences: “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ [an Aramaic term of contempt meaning “worthless, empty”] is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” Following this Scripture, we can say that God’s heart on the subject of how we make use of our words is evident in Scripture. In fact, God is concerned about how we make use of words. As followers of Christ, we should be more focused on using words to build than destroy.

When we have hurt others with our words, we can sincerely repent and find forgiveness in God and should as well seek it from those we have hurt. And those who have been victims of serious verbal abuse can find true healing in Jesus Christ. Behold, He is the Mighty Healer and is willing to heal you from all forms of pain and equally restore your joy. While in search of healing from abuse, you can discuss with your pastor or fellow Christians who will encourage and accompany you through the whole process. God’s desire is that we “encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11) and that we “do not let any unwholesome talk come out of [our] mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs” (Ephesians 4:29). In Christ, our words should be loving, encouraging, healthy, and life-giving.

More On The Power Of Words

Words have power. Remember that God used His Word (Genesis 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24) to create the entire universe and Jesus Himself is called the Word of God (John 1:1, 14). Genesis 1:1-31 says, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. …” Likewise, Hebrews 11:3 says, “By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, ...” In addition, John 1:1-1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” And because we were created in God’s likeness, God wants us to make good use of our words.

What Does The Bible Say About Name Calling?

Proverbs 18:21 – “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”

Ephesians 5:4 – “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.“

Colossians 3:8 – “But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.”

Ephesians 4:29 – “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

Colossians 3:8-10 – “But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.“

Colossians 4:6 – “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.“

Matthew 12:37 – “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Group 1 – What Does The Bible Say About Name Calling

Deuteronomy 5:11 – “‘You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.”

Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Titus 2:12 – “Training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,“

Proverbs 15:4 – “A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.“

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Exodus 20:7 – “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.”

Matthew 12:36 – “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,”

James 3:10 – “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.“

2 Timothy 2:16 – “But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,“

Group 2 – What Does The Bible Say About Name Calling

Matthew 15:10-11 – And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”

Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

1 Peter 3:10 – For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;”

Matthew 15:11 – “It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”

Proverbs 21:23 – “Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.”

James 1:26 – “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.“

Group 3 – What Does The Bible Say About Name Calling

Matthew 5:22 – “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.“

James 1:19 – “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;“

Luke 6:45 – “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.“

James 3:8 – “But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”

Matthew 12:36-37 – “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Matthew 12:34 – “You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”

Romans 12:14 – “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.”

Group 4 – What Does The Bible Say About Name Calling

Proverbs 8:13 – “The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.”

James 5:12 – “But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.”

Proverbs 13:3 – “Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.”

Luke 1:37 – “For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Proverbs 11:13 – “Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.”

Proverbs 4:24 – “Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.“

Acts 2:38 – And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Group 5 – What Does The Bible Say About Name Calling

Matthew 5:21-26 – “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. ...”

Colossians 3:1-25 – “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. …“

John 1:1 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Group 6 – What Does The Bible Say About Name Calling

Ephesians 4:25-30 – “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. …“

Psalm 19:14 – “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

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Matthew 5:16 – “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Colossians 3:5 – “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.“

Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Isaiah 6:5 – And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; …”

Group 7 – What Does The Bible Say About Name Calling

Proverbs 15:1 – “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.“

Luke 6:28 – “Bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”

Psalm 39:1 – To the choirmaster: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.”

Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

James 3:1-18 – “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! …“

Group 8 – What Does The Bible Say About Name Calling

Colossians 1:1-29 – “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, ...”

1 Corinthians 3:16 – “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?“

Matthew 5:33-37 – “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.“

Proverbs 14:5 – “A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.“

Group 9 – What Does The Bible Say About Name Calling

Mark 9:47-48 – “And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’“

John 14:6 – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.“

John 16:33 – “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

James 3:9-12 – “With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.”

Ephesians 4:24 – “And to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.“

Ephesians 6:17 – “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,“

Group 10 – What Does The Bible Say About Name Calling

Proverbs 4:23 – “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.“

Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

1 Peter 1:15 – “But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,”

1 Timothy 6:20 – “O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,”“

Ephesians 5:1-33 – “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. ...”

Group 11 – What Does The Bible Say About Name Calling

Colossians 4:1-18 – “Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. …“

Romans 8:31 – “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?“

1 Peter 5:7 – “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

Proverbs 6:2 – “If you are snared in the words of your mouth, caught in the words of your mouth,”

Ephesians 4:30 – “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

Leviticus 19:12 – “You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.“

2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

Group 12 – What Does The Bible Say About Name Calling

James 3:5-6 – “So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.“

Ephesians 5:3-4 – “But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.”

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Ephesians 4:28 – “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.”

Matthew 5:13 – “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.“

Luke 12:10 – “And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.“

Group 13 – What Does The Bible Say About Name Calling

James 1:20 – “For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.“

John 3:16-17 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

Ephesians 4:25 – “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.“

Psalm 34:12-14 – “What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.“

Psalm 141:3 – “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!“

1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.“

Matthew 5:37 – “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.“

Group 14 – What Does The Bible Say About Name Calling

Ephesians 5:3 – “But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.”

Colossians 3:23 – “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,”

Proverbs 3:5 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”

Romans 3:13-14 – “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”

Galatians 5:16 – “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.“

Acts 17:10-11 – “The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.“

Group 15 – What Does The Bible Say About Name Calling

Ephesians 4:26-27 – “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.”

1 Timothy 4:12 – “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.“

Revelation 1:1 – “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,”

Exodus 20:1-26 – “And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. …“

2 Corinthians 13:14 – “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

Group 16 – What Does The Bible Say About Name Calling

Psalm 34:13-14 – “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”

Jude 1:10 – “But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively.“

Romans 8:28 – “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.“

James 2:7 – “Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?“